Health and Safety Authority
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| State agency of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1989[1] |
| Jurisdiction | Ireland |
| Headquarters | The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce Street, Dublin 1[1] |
| State agency of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment executives | |
| Key document |
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| Website | HSA website |
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is a state-sponsored body in Ireland which has responsibility for occupational health and safety.[4] Its role is to secure health and safety at work.[5] It was established under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989 and reports to the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.[4] The HSA, which operates from its headquarters in Dublin, also has offices in Kilkenny, Athlone, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Sligo and Waterford.[citation needed]
The HSA has overall responsibility for the administration and enforcement of health and safety at work in Ireland.[citation needed] It monitors compliance with legislation at the workplace and can take enforcement action – including prosecutions which can result in fines or imprisonment.[6] It also promotes education, training, and research in the field of health and safety.[citation needed]
Occupational safety and health policy is determined by a twelve-member board.[citation needed] The appointment of the board is a function of the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989.[citation needed]
In 2016, the Irish Times reported that workplace safety inspections, undertaken by the HSA, had dropped from 15,340 in 2011 to 10,719 in 2014.[7] The reduction in inspections was attributed to "staff cutbacks" at the HSA.[7]
The agency, which collates data on accidents and injuries at work,[8] noted a 61% increase in work-related fatalities during 2025.[9]
